OPINION PART ONE: "Moving Redmond Forward" on Land Use Appeal Decisions

KING COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT

Kirkland, Bellevue, Sammamish, Issaquah, Woodinville, Mercer Island, Seattle, Edmonds, Everett all use the King County Superior Court land use appeals. Redmond still uses City Council for land use appeals.

According to Rob Odle, Redmond Planning and Development Director, in the mid-90's, most cities abandoned the council Q-J land use appeal process for appeals by the King County Superior Court.

OPINION UPDATED, 5/17, Opinion: "Moving Redmond Forward" was Mayor John Marchione's #1 campaign slogan when he was running for office two years ago. John has been living up to his promise, unfortunately not the Council majority. The Council "majority" just moved Redmond two steps back during a conversation on Land Use Appeal Decision process in their last council meeting.

The council majority of David Carson, Richard Cole, Pat Vache' and Hank Myers took a straw vote, tallied by Carson, to keep their dated "quasi-judicial role" for preliminary plats. The quasi-judicial (q-j) role gives Council powerful legal and legislative appeal authority over a city-designated land use attorney's decision. (Hearing Examiner.)

After hours of deliberation in two Committee meetings last year, Councilmembers Hank Margeson and Kimberly Allen offered reasons to move our city forward in utilizing the King County Superior Court rather than keeping Council for land use appeals. Only Redmond and Bothell rely on Council for initial appeal decisions in our area. Below are reasons for moving forward:

• Redmond's present appeal process requires Council by law to thoroughly review every page, document, and blueprint in the Hearing Examiner's file for accuracy beyond reasonable doubt.
• Council is not legally qualified, nor has the time, to thoroughly review the Examiner's file for inaccuracies.
• Society is more litigious and will challenge Council's ability to craft a correct Record. The City is liable and vulnerable to expensive, drawn-out lawsuits by appellants and landowners.
• During land use decisions, which can take over a year, citizens are not allowed to communicate with their councilmembers about the project. When legislative mistakes of interpreting Land Use Code are made, Council cannot fix the problem up-front, by mediation, or in a pre-hearing meeting. Participation, citizen/landowner engagement, and transparency are severely limited by a WALL between the People and their Representatives.

The land use decisions subject to council's Q-J appeal process are called "Preliminary Plats". Some examples of Preliminary Plat appeals in Redmond gone a muck are: CAMWEST'S Perrigo Heights, CAMWEST'S Pearce, Shauhanessy, and CAMWEST'S Tyler Creek - all of which were strung out by Council's legal and legislative interpretations of a poorly crafted Examiner Record.

PART TWO, 5/20/09, "Thoughts on Redmond's Land Use Appeal Policy"
PART THREE: on "Moving Redmond Forward on Land Use Appeal Decisions" will focus on significant Preliminary Plat mistakes and unintended consequences from Redmond's Q-J process.
Chair Margeson's Planning and Public Works Committee meeting, 11/08
Chair Margeson's Planning and Public Works Committee meeting, 07/08

"Hartman Park Trails" - a city gem unveiled

For years, a select group of Education Hill neighbors have walked their dogs and hiked the network of forested dirt trails surrounding Hartman Park wetlands. Quite a few residents tried to keep this informal park "gem" to themselves. It's a peaceful, quiet, cool, lush forested area and so convenient to the surrounding neighbors. Yes, the trails could get muddy. Other than that, it was a neighborhood paradise.

The Parks Department finally discovered these trails and "our secret". "Hartman Park Trails" are now cedar-chipped and are marked with about 8 trail signs. I don't know what took them so long. My guess is the new joint Parks & Trails Commission is working together better and so took action. It's even remotely possible the recent Black Bear sightings in these woods prompted action. (I feel a little safer hiking the trails now they are "developed" by the city.) The nearby BMX dirt bike course has brought additional traffic near these trails, too.

Anyway, have fun! The trails are easy to access from at least 6-7 trailheads. The trails' "backbone" is Ashford Trail, a.k.a. Perrigo Woods Trail. It's a pervious, crushed gravel trail which mountain bikers sometimes use to "cut across town". The trail starts from the terminus of NE 100 St. near the Mormon Church almost a mile down the hill to Avondale Road. A good scenic resting point is Perrigo Springs (Historical Marker) near the water tower.

Children living in Lookout Ridge and Perrigo Heights can easitly walk to school from Perrigo Woods Trail to RHS and RJH. Any number of the .25 - .50 mile Hartman Park Trails will get them to their classes and homes -- faster and more peacefully than by car! Might even see a Western Red Squirrel or Heron on the way....

The Harman Park Trails can be accessed from the Fields #5 & #6 adjacent the restrooms. They can also me accessed from the neighborhoods bordering 176th Ave. NE. and 172nd Ave. NE.

The Parks Department defines trail users with a "backpacker" and "bicyclist" ICON. Dog walkers are probably welcome. I'm guessing the X-country teams run through here, though I haven't seen any. I've never seen a bicyclist on these curvy, narrow trails. None of the trails are listed "A.D.A. approved.". The cedar chipped trails smell fresh are very nice and may control the mud issue. I don't know who installed the chips.

Comment: I hope the city will use cedar chipped trails for riparian pathways in the Eastern Corridor Parks. I'm glad the city is not black-topping Ashford Trail and pray they won't black-topped on the backbone trails of the planned Eastern Corridor Parks. Black-top "trails" are more like service roads. They are more invasive and unnatural and unbefitting of the rural, riparian parklands of the Eastern Corridor. (Anderson, Conrad Olsen, Perrigo, F-M, Juel parks)

UPDATE, 7/31/2008, Black Bear sighting in Hartman wetlands

UPDATE, 8/11/2008: LIVING WITH WILDLIFE IN WASHINGTON STATE -- This LINK is the best resource for helping us deal with Bears, Bobcats, Racoons, and on.. The Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife released this Safety Guide as a result of multiple wildlife sightings this year!

UPDATE, 7/31/08 - Precautionary steps here to keep bears out of our neighborhoods. Department of Fish & Wildlife office in Mill Creek is getting a dozen calls a day of sightings from neighborhoods.

UPDATE, 7/29/08 - 3rd Sighting: " The friend I ride with said her neighbour saw a bear in her townhouse outside, on Avondale , the one next to the Starbucks by PCC. That is just down our hill [from the Camwest clear-cut]. He came out of the trees and was just eating and went back again. She said he was really big! - Sigmunde


UPDATE, 7/29/08
Quote from Eric O'Neal, City Parks Department:
"We had a staff member see a relatively small black bear coming through the park (by fields 3 & 4) and move south towards the wooded area. We put up about twenty paper notices throughout the park about the sighting, and had our Recreation Department contact the baseball user groups to let them know what we saw. We are currently working on a standard wildlife sign that will be posted at locations where cougar and bear have been spotted."
Opinion: It was excellent the Parks Department would go out of the way to extensively notice and inform the baseball user groups "to let them know what we saw". While informing the public of the sighting, if would have been beneficial had Parks described the basics of how to respond to an unlikely encounter. Perhaps, disclosure is a liability issue for the city? b.y.
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When back from vacation my daughter heard that a black bear was seen on June 25 by some baseball players from field #6 of Hartman Park. It was a smaller bear and was foraging in the forested wetlands of Hartman Park near the Perrigo Woods Trail, at the end of 100th St. NE. Councilman Hank Margeson reported another bear sighting made by a fellow baseball umpire, saying it strolled up a trail next to the High School football field; probably the same bear.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife and police didn't have much to say about it and gave little if any precautionary advice, according neighbors. Two years ago when a "cougar" was spotted near Horace Mann Elementary near Hartman wetlands the Parks Dept. posted a warning sign at Perrigo Woods Trailhead. It's been a month and I haven't seen a sign posted. about the bear.

I'm not an expert, but black bears are pretty shy around people and you can usually "loudly talk them away" while slowly backing away and avoiding eye contact. But, still, I think the city owes it to the public to give some very **basic advice on how to deal with the black bear if you walk into it. (Read this article). Do you think the city should advise neighborhoods about containing garbage and pet food, to keep away critters like rats, squirrels, coons, and....?

Critters who have lost their home and food supply will occasionally forage in residential areas. Ever since the Perrigo Heights clear-cut we've had a pileated woodpecker visit our cherry tree. Some of my neighbors have attributed loss of their small pets to coyotes. Would a black bear be any different? Probably few, if any, Redmond bears have a taste for garbage.

Where did this "big guy" come from? My guess is was driven out of an 18 acre forest by Avondale and 116thst. Camwest recently clear-cut much of this open space to make room for a 76-home "Pearce PRD" development. Black bears had been sighted here before. As per linked article, black bears prefer forested wetlands, dense vegetation, and riparian habitat. "Pearce PRD" open space had 9 wetlands, a stream and over 500 trees and is close to the Power Line Trail. Hmmmm.

Hartman Park is a forested wetland. My guess is the "big guy" is holing up in Hartman Wetlands and the adjacent 10 acre forested easement that runs all the way to Nike Park. It would have to cross Avondale Rd. to get into the Bear Creek corridor. Greater Woodinville may be it's ultimate destination, but anyone knows. The Dept. of Fish and Wildlife probably knows it's whereabouts. I hope they don't have to put the "big guy" down.

I'm going to be careful (and noisy!) when I hike for a while. Recently, I hiked across the Hartman wetlands from the row of cedar trees on Perrigo Woods Trail due north. I won't be doing that for a while.....lots of salmonberry and blackberry. Even the network of soft trails between Perrigo Woods Trail and the Hartman baseball fields is an area to be wary. I hope the city and WDFW keeps us informed of the whereabouts of the bear.

The bear in the photo is not from Redmond, WA.

Redmond's Great Blue Heron and "Riparian" creek habitat -- Regulate or Celebrate?

I was obsessed with this bird, probably because I did my senior project on it in college. My present thinking is it should be "proclaimed" a Species of Local Importance, not regulated.  - B.Yoder, 7/17/2022.

.....most future blog entries will be significantly shortened, for your convenience.

Opinion: Our city Great Blue Heron was regulated by the City Council under the Ives Administration three years ago to elevate their protections to the status of *endangered species. Despite these protections, all of the city's heron's rookery nests are inactive, according to city environmental planner Beam. When land use decisions are made by city council - as in the recent Bear Creek Parkway Extension decision - council was more concerned about the rookery trees then the heron. In fact, the bird itself was never mentioned. Redmond no longer has active nesting rookeries. Our "Heron Rookery" near Leary Way is simply a forest remnant across from the Saturday Market. The few herons we do see are migratory foragers.

Please consider asking council to revoke this "Species of Local Importance" ordinance and replace it with a symbolic Proclamation by which we can proudly celebrate our honored species....and ICON. Our rookeries have not been restored. The heron ordinance has no teeth.

Councilmember Nancy McCormick recommended 3-years ago our city consider symbolic PROCLAMATIONS for our "species and habitat of local importance"; rather than laws. Council is in the process of updating our Critical Area Ordinance and Shoreline ordinances and now would be an excellent time to support Nancy and tell council and Mayor Marchione what you think! Email: city council at council@redmond.gov. Or, if you'd rather keep the ordinance tell them.

Three years ago I and a few others nominated "riparian habitat" be designated and protected as locally important under the ordinance. The planning commission vote was split and it wasn't passed. I now understand the council's decision.

Today, I urge you email our council asking they symbolically PROCLAIM "Riparian habitat as city habitat of importance". Riparian habitat is the green band of vegetation that grows along our creeks and streams. Riparian habitat is critical for flood and erosion controls, stream water quality, endangered salmon and wildlife habitat and valued as a city asset.

In fact, a recent Berger Partner's parks consultant identified the "green ring" surrounding our city a unique city asset for tourism and our quality of life. The green ring consists of the riparian vegetation of Sammamish River, Bear Creek, Evans Creek and our northern green hilltops. In addition, a "string of pearl" park & trail system is planned for the Eastern Bear Creek and Evans Creek Corridor. Five parks will "touch" the riparian habit of these salmon bearing creeks! Great Blue's find food and shelter in the green riparian vegetation of our creeks - a symbiotic relationship.

Developers and landowners are now using riparian habitat as an amenity. And city development code helps protection and sustain of our riparian habitat. Take a drive through Camwest's Tyler's Creek. They did a tremendous job enhancing and restoring the creek and wetlands. I know, because I walked and studied the parcel before development.

Riparian wetlands and Perrigo creek was recently protected by the city and developer in the controversial Perrigo Heights development adjacent Hartman Wetlands. The city purchased 3 acres of greenway forested riparian habitat to help buffer the wetland and stream from excessive sunlight, enhance wetland water recharge, drying winds and preserve a greenway amenity. All this without a law.
I hope you will write Nancy McCormick, Council, or Mayor John Marchione to ask them to deny and revoke the Great Blue Heron regulations and PROCLAIM our beautiful wader bird as our symbolic species of local importance. And will you ask Nancy McCormick, council-at-large or Mayor John Marchione to PROCLAIM Redmond's #1 natural natural asset -- "Riparian" as habitat of local importance?

It's all up to you. 'We' have to tell 'them' what is important to us!

Postscript:  Riparian Habitat was proclaimed Redmond's Habitat of Local Importance by Mayor John Marchione in his first term.

*This statement should be verified by the Department of Fish and Wildife.   Beam told me years later there are no protections for the bird.

OPINION: Four Mayors and a Clerk - The duties of our City Clerk

City Clerk Doris Schaible's retirement party on 3/22/1995: Selwyn "Bud" Young ('68-'79; d '99), Christine Himes ('80-'83), Doreen Marchione, ('84-'91), City Clerk Doris Schaible, Rosemarie Ives ('92-'07)

That's quite a picture of retired City Clerk Doris Schaible (in green) with Redmond's four most recently retired Mayors. Doris Schaible was our City Clerk for 25 1/2 years and she worked with everyone of these Mayors.  

Did you know that the City Clerk is the oldest of public servants in local government, along with tax collectors?  A case in point is our first mayor, Frederick A. Reil, 1913 -1918. He was Redmond's first postmaster and town clerk before running for mayor, unopposed. (1)

My personal experience with the Office of City Clerk began about four years ago. A large group of Education Hill neighbors were trying to appeal the Camwest, Inc. Perrigo Heights plat Steep Slope and Landmark Tree Exception. We needed ordinances and code information and we discovered the Clerk's office was a big help.  Today, I like to copy the Clerk on important emails to help my correspondence get circulated to the right people and "for the record".  When I want a public record for some information on, say, SE Redmond septic tanks and our aquifer - I submit my written request to the City Clerk.  cityclerk@redmond.gov.    

Our city clerk is the "hub of government" and direct link between "us" and city government. Probably no one knows more about what's going on in the city then the City Clerk. At a 2008 council meeting, Mayor John Marchione likened the Office of City Clerk as "a rock to stand on".  (I'm not sure what this means).  Since then, public records request service has improved dramatically.  Over time the Clerk's knowledge of the city's recorded history builds. The Clerk is highly respected and a certain amount a power comes with that knowledge.

According to various sources, (3) a City Clerk needs to be highly diplomatic, apolitical, unflappable, patient, versatile, and alert. I might add careful and assertive. One understands why a city clerk has these traits when reading their job description, as found on the city website, as follows:

1. supports the Mayor and City Council, oversees the Hearing Examiner function,
2. coordinates City elections and monitors state legislative actions.
3. responsible for coordinating and distributing agendas and information in support of City Council meetings.
4. is the official Public Records Officer of the City and maintains official City records including minutes, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds and titles.
5. In conjunction with the Police Department, the Clerk's Office oversees and responds to public records requests.

This old website description barely describes the duties of the Office of the City Clerk. In  2010, Mayor John Marchione added additional work load to the City Clerk's job.  The Office of the Clerk (3 FTE's) is now responsible for updating the Council portion of the City Web site.  The Clerk is also Program Manager for the new City Hall  Volunteer Front Desk Program.  As the Administration has grown, so have the number of meetings needing a Record by the Clerk.  The record at meetings is taken by notes, recordings, email, and video.

When City Clerk Malissa Files was promoted by Mr. Mayor to Finance Manager, Michelle McGehee was promoted to City Clerk.  I think Michelle was hired by Mayor Rosemarie Ives.  

Our new City Clerk, Michelle McGehee, is a "Certified Municipal Clerk". She is extremely well qualified, friendly, and committed. Michelle moved from Alaska to take the job.  Michelle, or her deputy clerk Liz, can be reached at 425-556-2190 and by EMAIL: CityClerk@redmond.gov.

Michelle's job has definitely grown from the clerking days of Doris Schaible! (2) In 1969, the population of Redmond was 9,213. There were 60 employees. 1 Parks employee. 5 firefighters. 10 police. 1 traffic light (Redmond Way & 164 Ave. NE).  Today, the population is over 50,000 by night and 90,000 by day. 

References:

(1) "Redmond Reflections...from settlers to software", Naomi Hardy, 2006; (2) Doris Schaible, Community Relations, Redmond Historical Society. Photo courtesy of Doris Schaible; (3) Wikipedia - (click title page).

Posted:  June, 2008.  Updated:  5/28/2010

By Bob Yoder
Photo donated by Doris Schaible

Miguel Llanos, dedicated public servent & Redmond historian

Above is a photo I took of Miguel Llanos orchestrating a Redmond Historical Society multi-media event

 Miguel Llanos, a friendly, respected Education Hill neighbor, is an admired co-founder of the Redmond Historical Society, the editor of the "Redmond Recorder" newsletter, and is now a newly appointed commissioner of Redmond's "Landmarks and Heritage Commission."

I first met Miguel on the Perrigo Woodland Trail in 2003 during the citizen & city council march through the Perrigo Heights Preliminary Plat to save the woodlands. Miguel set up an exhibit to educate citizens on the history of the woodlands.

Miguel was sworn into the Landmarks and Heritage Commission last night after Rep. Ross Hunter's Town Hall meeting. The commission meets only when an owner of one of the 16 properties listed as historic by the city wants to make a change, or when a property owner wants to have their property added to list.
Miguel says the 2-block row of old bungalow houses on 164th Street is not on the list 16 historic properties. This was the "Perrigo Plat" core of Old Redmond. According to Miguel, the Brown Bag Cafe bungalow, recently sold, was once owned by long-time Mayor Bill Brown! (1913-1948). Please speak up if you want Mayor Brown's old house on the List for preservation. Send your requests to Steve Fischer, city planner.
Below, is an excerpt from The Redmond Recorder newsletter:
"Redmond Historical Society -How respected are we?", by Miguel Llanos

How respected are we as a group? When you have three mayors
helping you out that’s a pretty good sign you’ve made it.

Mayor Rosemarie Ives (1991- 2007) is a Society founding member and helped us gain our footing when we started in 1999.

Mayor Chris Himes (1980-1983) joined us a few years later and has been a go-getter since day one. She was instrumental in contacting current Mayor John Marchione and Parks Director Craig Larsen to resolve a long-standing issue: securing the Old Redmond Schoolhouse auditorium for our Redmond Historical Society Saturday morning meetings.

Mayor Marchione (possibly influenced by attending our January meeting, where 100 people packed a room for 70!) was quick to make it happen, so starting in 2009, the auditorium will be our permanent venue.

Kudos also go to the City for taking steps to re-open Slough House Park, where famed carver Dudley Carter lived and worked during the latter part of his life. Carter’s Haida House is on the site, and is itself a work of art.

- Miguel Llanos
Editor, "Redmond Recorder"
Co-founder of "Redmond Historical Society"
Commissioner of "Redmond Landmarks and Heritage Society"

Video "here" of city attorney Jim Haney swearing in Miguel to city commission.
Please send comments and recommendations to Redmond Landmarks & Heritage Commission city planner, Steve Fischer. Your comments will be forwarded to Miguel.

City Hall overflows! Redmondites make requests for how our tax dollars should be spent.

OPINION: Wow! What an evening last night at City Hall! And to discuss a Budget, no less! Amazingly, citizen turn-out overflowed seating capacity. The last time I've seen participation like this was at the Camwest "Perrigo Heights" woodland clear-cut debate.

If you missed the meeting, you can catch the intro on RCTV-21 archives. But, the breakout sessions were not taped -- the best part. However, the breakout session minutes and citizens' requests can be found "here".

Let me clue you in - Marchione's presentation of the budget process was "the flipside" - a jump shift, from the laborious and bureaucratic sessions of the previous administration. And oh, how refreshing! Last year Council and Staff Directors had to struggle with over 25 tortuous study sessions, while the general staff & citizens where left out to dry.

This year, highly involved citizens shared leadership with select staff on "Results Teams", focused on the seven budget priorities. The best part? We "lowly citizens" had several opportunities to tell and sell the city on what WE wanted funded! Our "requests for funding offers" will be screened by the Staff Departments and presented to Council. It felt like we were really being heard and, with all sincerity, about how WE wanted the Council to spend our tax dollars. It's hard to believe , but "Budgeting by Priorities" - was actually FUN! Much more so than the previous administration's endless & squishy "Budgeting with Remorse" sessions. ha!

Our Council has the hardest part in the whole process. I feel for them, as follows:

1. During the meeting councilmembers had to hold their thoughts and emotions back while WE expressed our needs & wants with staff, fellow citizens, and the Results Teams.


2. Council must now sit down in front of the cameras and winnow out the winning "requests". Of course, our Safety (fire and police) comes first. Then, the roads, sewer lines and wastewater infrastructure must be built to cope with all our growth. Land use planning for a green environment must be satisfied.


3. Even with all these capital and operational expense requirements, I truly *believe funds will be "left over" for the things that can make Redmond a Great City, rather than just another one of the many corporate Edge Cities of America. Our art, culture, heritage, city branding, human services, amenities, "gathering places", business and neighborhood communities are all on the table. The Results Team and Council may have some tough decisions to make.

The ultimate success of "Budgeting by Priorities" will rest with Mr. Mayor Marchione's financial skills and ability to uncover and reallocate funds. I firmly *believe Mayor Marchione has the leadership and financial skills to do it. Stay tuned for the results!

Bobcat sighting reported in greater Redmond! Is this the last one?!

This Bobcat was reported by a neighbor living on Avondale Road. Gee, I wonder why the birdfeeder is empty! Note the long hind legs.

Sighting report of 3/08:

"A neighbor snapped this photo of a Bobcat in my backyard last week. I had never seen one in Redmond/Woodinville. I hear they're usually skittish of people. Yes, it is beautiful. At first
they thought this was a mangy cat.

The nearest intersection to the sighting is Avondale and 132nd. My backyard
backs up to the Bear Creek green space and is mostly natural. I've heard and
seen coyotes, deer, rabbits and geese. But 30 feet from that cat is my
neighbor's play structure for his kids."

-Reported by Pamela G.S., Greater Redmond

According to "Wikipedia," Bobcats only eat rabbits, insects, rodents, and birds.
Not kids :).

Another story about a Bobcat sighting in Perrigo Heights Woodlands can be found in this blog by using the search engine. I wonder if the same woodland Bobcat migrated from the clear-cut forest of Perrigo Heights along the Bear Creek corridor to this northern creek location? Hmmmm. A Bobcat's range is about 1 cat for every 5 square miles.

The photo on the right is of a Bobcat drinking water in Tucson.

Top events for Redmond in 2007

Take a look to the right for the survey on top stories for 2007. Do you see it?

Defeat of the first -and expensive - levy lid-lift was up there for me as one of the biggest events in Redmond 2007. Why does the city give a "property tax increase" the wonkish label of "lid lift"? No one really knows what a lid lift is. (Oh! there's the reason!) This mysterious terminology is just as nebulous as that 4-page "marketing" piece staff mailed -- crammed with vagaries. No wonder citizens clamoured for "transparency". My Letter to the R. Reporter griped about the $50M plus City Hall albatross. I voted for the levy only to support council. It wasn't easy. 60% voted NO vs. safety and park funding.

The election of Marchione was #1 for me. It was historic, with the start of a "Marchione dynasty" and the end of Rosemarie's 16 year reign. It was the first time I ever campaigned and it was exciting. The long process brings out the best and worst in candidates (and their supporters). My blog stories gave me some voice. It was fun! And, the best man for leading the City of Redmond won!

The size and cost of our new City Hall was my #2 story because of it's harm to our budget & city services and especially for it's symbolism of government waste & excess. Why no citizen input on this "project"? The first lid lift lost mostly because of the City Hall. The size and expense of the building demonstrated Rosemarie's power, control and charismatic personality. The Silver Thaw art flood lights outside of the Hall never worked from the start. Bureaucracy at it's finest.

The removal (clear-cutting) of Perrigo Heights hill-top woodlands was a nightmare for the neighborhood. 8 acres of mixed conifer/hardwood urban forest and trails gone. Hartman bog wetlands lost it's shelter from the sun and wind and is drying up. I wrote three columns in the Reporter hoping an angel would step forward. Mayor Ives "partnered" for a cheap deal. The new $70 million City Hall made council feel "cash poor". As Redmond urbanizes, the next generations of Redmonites will pay dearly for our short-sightedness.

The Redmond High School basketball's District tournament wins was refreshing and happy news for this usually gripey blog! "You gotta believe!" ....and our young men and their coaches DID! Did you see any games?

A rebuttal to the Ives Administration on my final "Redmond Reporter" column on water supply

In February, 2007 I was asked by John Huether, Editor of the "Redmond Reporter," to write a column about Redmond events connected in some way to Council and Administration's work. I wrote 11 "Citizen Watch" columns. I will periodically post my columns on the Neighborhood Blog for those who missed them or to make a point. In this case, I am highlighting parts of my "water supply" column that Kim Van Eckstrom, Redmond's Chief Communications Officer objected to as "inaccurate." This was my last column accepted by the Redmond Reporter since Van Eckstrom's complaints to the new Editor, Bill Christianson. Some have asked me to rebut the Administration...which I do at the end of the column.

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OPINION / "We face a water supply challenge" by Bob Yoder, 'Redmond Reporter', 7/11/07

Walking Perrigo Woods trail last week, I noticed construction materials dumped next to the “Perrigo Springs memorial willow and historic marker”. The city is looking for the contractor responsible for this oversight. (1) As if enough wasn’t enough for Redmond’s historic spring, CAMWEST DEVELOPMENT is building a steep-slope sewer pipe to service the 24-home Perrigo Heights project. The pipe will run within yards of the spring.

Perrigo Springs was Redmond’s only water supply until 1927 and it served as a major source of supply until 1962 – hard to believe. To visit Perrigo Springs from Avondale, drive to the end of 180th Ave. NE. Or, hike down the trail from NE 100th St.

Redmond’s two present sources of drinking water are: 1) the ground and 2) from the Reed Mountain watershed (5,331 ft), east of Carnation. About 40% of our drinking water is stored in an underground “aquifer” and drawn from five city wells. Redmond’s aquifer is only 5-20 feet below the surface so keeping hazardous waste off the ground is critical. After citizens reported a waste site on the Evans Creek bank aquifer last year, the city initiated a “ground water monitoring program” and “online” hazardous waste reporting. (2)

The remaining 60% of our water supply is piped from the Tolt River reservoir, fed by the Reed Mountain watershed. Recently, the city has recently combined Tolt Reservoir water with well water for projects, like Perrigo Heights.

The Avondale well (#4) (3) has been challenged, in part, by a loss of pervious land paved over by multiple, housing developments. Pervious land is required for recharging our aquifer with rain water. The city is working with AegisLiving to preserve historic Keller Farm wetlands vital to aquifer recharge. Aegis is proposing to set aside 119 acres of wetlands they bought from historic Keller Farm (pumpkins!) adjacent Avondale Road, Aegis plans to build a retirement community on the parcel’s remaining 6 acres.

According to the Redmond website, city water customers have doubled in the last 10 years. (4)More alarming, King County population is expected to increase 300,000 by 2025 –the equivalent of Tacoma and Bellevue combined! By 2020 existing water supplies will not be enough to reach forecasted demands (2001 Pug. Sd. Reg. Outlook).

With 12,000-plus moving into Redmond within 10 years, what is the city doing to keep up with demand? Redmond has partnered with the regional Cascade Water Alliance to build a new $55M supply system. Councilman John Marchione is on the Board.

The Alliance plan: Lake Tapps in Tacoma will store mountain water originating from eastern Mt. Ranier’s Emmons glacier and the White River. Emmons glacier is huge but started retreating in 2003. University of Washington scientists forecast a 59% loss of snow pack by 2050 due to global warming. Much is at stake! Conservation is critical.

Bellevue saved 20% by implementing a “water conservation program”. Visit http:// savingwater.org for excellent conservation tips, rebates, and free devices. Tell city officials to initiate a “water conservation program”. (5) The Alliance alone won’t solve our next generation’s water needs.
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Rebuttal

(1) Bill Campbell, Acting Director of Public Works told me they were trying to get in touch with the contractor.
(2) My statement is correct is found on Redmond's website link under "Activities" 2007: http://redmond.gov/insidecityhall/publicworks/environment/grhistory.asp
(3) Edit. At the time I wrote this article, the city had taken off the No. ID's from their Wellhead Protection Zone map. The city is numbering their Wellheads on site but still not on the Wellhead Protection Zone Map. Wells no longer appear to be named after streets ie. "Avondale well" but that could change. I learned tonight that #5 (by Target) is the most productive and important well and most subject to stormwater run-off and infiltration from SE Redmond industrial area. Council has allowed these industrial businesses to continue to discharge stormwater by infiltration. (7/08). DNR will be installing a 300 acre regional stormwater system in the area, soon! This has been promulgated by the new Costco warehouse. 6/17/08
(4) My statement is correct and used to be referenced on Redmond's website link under "Wellhead Protection Ordinance Updates". http://redmond.gov/insidecityhall/publicworks/environment/grhistory.asp
*Van Eckstrom DELETED from the site: "The City of Redmond has grown and doubled the number of its customers in the past 10 years - making care of its precious and limited water supplies all that much more important". I have a hard copy of the original web page.
(5) Mayor Ives told me after a council meeting they've had a conservation program for 16 years. My answer is: 1) my column is an OPINION column and I didn't think we had much of a program. 2) as it turns out we didn't have a program plan in writing. ..rather a rebate offering and occasional Public Service Announcements on RCTV and FOCUS magazine.
October, 2007 the city initiated a Water Conservation Efficiency Program, linked below: http://redmond.gov/insidecityhall/citycouncil/20071016pdfs/IIIA1.pdf Case closed!

The Administration's claims were enough to 'frighten' the new Editor into cancelling my column. The fact the Primary election was around the corner had everything to do with it.

Some new Public Notice improvements!

"Citizen participation in the planning process --a horrifying
prospect to some administrators -- has proved to be the most effective way to avoid mistakes (and unintended consequences)." - SUBURBAN NATION by Duany, Zyberk & Speck

Just prior to Councilman Resha's departure from council, his Planning and Public Works Committee with citizen input recommended public notice improvements to council and staff. Below are improvements staff made in response to citizen effort. Special thanks for staff's addition of Notice into our city website; and appreciation to councilmen Cole and Marchione for this information! Noteworthy items are highlighted in green. Do you have have any comments?

THE NEW PUBLIC NOTICE IMPROVEMENTS:

A. Sending Notice of Application to residents (renters) as well as owners
B. Re-send Notice of Application when process type changes
C. Create a process flow chart to include in Notice of Application
D. Improve legibility of vicinity maps
E. Encourage (not require) neighborhood meetings for Short Plats (until RCDG can be updated to require)
F. Improve legibility of site plans
G. Provide the tree preservation plan with the Notice of Application
H. Place tree preservation plans, site plans, vicinity maps and flow charts on Internet together with Notice of Application
I. Provide web links on mailed/posted notices to direct readers to the legal notices web page
J. Clarify comments due date to reflect acceptance of comments until decision or hearing date
K. Clarify in notices that e-mail is an acceptable form of comment
L. Increase comment period for Notice of Application to 21 days

Department of Planning and
Community Development
Ph: 425-556-2438
Fx: 425-556-2400

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Examples of PAST Public Notice deficiencies: 1) Perrigo Heights: White and Yellow Notice signs not placed on northern boundary 150 feet, vicinity/site maps unclear, Party of Record list absent for community meetings, mailing list incomplete. 2) Shaughnessey Heights: tree preservation map confusion, incomplete notice to all parties of record. 3) Tyler Creek: Citizens appealed the wrong permit owing to incoherent and confusing legalize on notice, tree preservation map not readily available, incomplete commenting owing to short comment period, not all citizens received notice. 4) Tent City 4: Citizens misunderstood commenting protocol so could not participate in the process.

Deterrents to a fully informed public and project review still exist. For example: 1) more reliable accounting of Parties of Record by staff. 2) when you see the large, white sign on a proposed project it usually means you are "too late" to appeal the plat. This sign needs to go up earlier...and on.

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LINKS:

Current listing of new land use notices:

http://www.ci.redmond.wa.us/cityservices/legalnotices.asp Citywide Legal notices

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Overview of Land use classifications

Overview of Review (permit)Classifications, Public Notice requirements, Decision-maker, Appeal body, Quasi-Judicial (q-j) restrictions... http://www.codepublishing.com/WA/redmond.html
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Public Notice requirements for each Review:

Detailed breakdown of each of the seven reviews, with examples of permits; and identification of Quasi-judicial (q-j) whereby the public input to city council is restricted.

Type 1 Reviews (permits) "plumbing" (eg. hot water heater), "tree removal", "temporary use" (Tent City), "clearing and grading", signs, street use, "electrical & building permits" (retaining walls) http://mrsc.org/mc/redmondcdg/cdg20F3030.html

Type II Reviews: "short plat" subdivision http://mrsc.org/mc/redmondcdg/cdg20F3035.html

Type III Reviews: q-j (public input restricted) "preliminary plat" subdivision (>9 lots); "shoreline variance" http://mrsc.org/mc/redmondcdg/cdg20F3040.html

Type IV Reviews q-j (public input restricted) "planned residential development" (PRD) - usually combined with subdivision. http://mrsc.org/mc/redmondcdg/cdg20F3045.html

Type V Reviews q j (public input restricted) "sensitive area exception" (e.g. steep slope sewer); annexation http://mrsc.org/mc/redmondcdg/cdg20F3050.html

Type VI Reviews "development guide" amendment; http://mrsc.org/mc/redmondcdg/cdg20F3055.html

Type VII Reviews "historic landmark" http://mrsc.org/mc/redmondcdg/cdg20F3060.html
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Public notice signage and Critical area reporting requirements:

http://www.ci.redmond.wa.us/insidecityhall/permitting/devapps.asp#CriticalArea

The above Land Use link describes the yellow public notice sign and the large, white notice sign w/PRD information seen on proposed developments. SCROLL DOWN. Critical Area Ordinance reporting requirements are also listed. If you were to pull a project file that had wetlands and streams you should be able to find 5 documents required of developers to account for buffer averaging and other buffer mitigation calculations. If not, contact Cathy Beam, planner.

10/30, "Trick or Treat" - Robinson knocks

Endorsements and campaign signs have gotten a little out of control in the election battlefield. For instance, Jim Robinson is proud of his Police endorsement, yet in the 2003 mayoral race he accused Holly Placket of unethical practices when she accepted a Police endorsement.

In contrast, John Marchione stated in his August 2 BLOG he would not accept endorsements from any union where he may need to negotiate contracts because he feels it's unethical. John’s campaign decision demonstrates INTEGRITY. One might say, Robinson's acceptance of the Police endorsement sticks out like a sore thumb – like the police tag stuck on all his signs.

Yes, all candidate signs are quite loud these days but there is no denying that the multitude of Red & Blue "Police" signs staked "in two's and three's" everywhere are overwhelming.....ESPECIALLY, in light of Mr. Robinson's campaign challenge to Holly Plackett and John Marchione declaring:

"Yard signs are a significant source of visual clutter and have a negative impact on our environment, both by the resources used and the litter remaining after the election season is over. In addition, the proliferation of the number of signs in recent elections, especially in the public rights of way, can create hazardous conditions for drivers. Mr. Robinson believes that preserving the natural environment in Redmond is very high on the citizens’ list of priorities and so has proposed this small but significant step toward achieving that outcome."

-- Jim Robinson Press Release, 2007

I wonder who is winning the mayoral sign battle this election?! In Mr. Robinson's words, signs are a "significant source of visual clutter and have a negative impact on our environment". Isn't there something HERE to be said about the INTEGRITY of the leaders we choose...even if costumed in a "trick or treat" campaign challenge?

Bob

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FROM SUZANNE QUERRY - It's a sad day when elections in Redmond start looking like the partisan national elections that make us all cringe. Who knew that special interests would start running our city? For years we've had a mayor and a majority of the city council who were independent and didn't answer to special interests. Now we have at least two candidates being funded by and therefore beholden to such groups as the Master Builders Association and some group called the Coalition for Eastside Cities. Both groups have seen fit to inundate us with unwelcome robo-calls touting the virtues of John Marchione and David Carson. Mr. Marchione has the savvy to denounce the tactics of these groups. Mr Carson does not. Both groups are not adhering to the spirit or letter of the law regarding unsolicited pre-recorded calls. I urge each of you as voters in Redmond to reject such tactics and the candidates who will be beholden to these groups, whether they requested the support or not. The truth is that we do not want our city run by people who owe debts to well funded ultra-conservative groups that want to continue stripping such resources as Perrigo Heights and pave over what little bits of paradise we still have in our little town. Vote for the candidates who have demonstrated their independence.

--Suzanne Querry, 11/2/07

FROM BOB YODER - Remember please, the Perrigo Heights Woodland "paradise" was stripped under the Rosemarie Ives Administration with Mr. Jim Robinson, Chair of Council Parks leading the way. Efficient use of tax dollar resources by the Marchione administration will improve the liklihood of saving future natural treasures. Why? Money will be budgeted for these exceptional community needs by creating efficiencies and establishing priorities within our government. The Marchione administration is most ABLE to listen to our neighborhood and community needs and to plan, prepare, and respond to meeting them.
--Bob Yoder, Saturday November 3, 2007


FROM A NEIGHBOR, 11/4 Robinson boasts about his signs being recyclable. It may be true, however in practical use; they cannot be fixed, because they are so cheap. Once broken it is in garbage. Marchione, Cole, Margeson and Carson’s are made out of plastic, all can be fixed and put back in use. Now the streets are cluttered with deceased Robinson signs. When will they clean it up or do we have to wait until election is over? It’s worse than an over-application of beauty bark. Not the most “green” product for the most “green” candidate.
Sunday November 4, 2007 -

UPDATED: Almost EVERYONE WINS! - Redevelopment of the Keller Farm, 9/3/07

UPDATED on 4/18/13.   It's my understanding the wetland bank program has been delayed for 5 years.  I don't know the details, but you could contact the city council ombudsman at council@redmond.gov for an explanation. 

OPINION:  My friend and neighbor, Richard Morris, wrote a "guest" blog a few months ago about new developments at historic Keller Farm near Avondale and Union Hill road. Recently, the planning commission has been holding public meetings on the project. The commission graciously left their meeting open for "comment". If you have something to say for the record, you may still comment (as of 8/5/07) to the planningcommission@redmond.gov

If ever there was a WIN-WIN land-use & re-zone project in Redmond THIS is it!
Below is an assessment of community needs that will be satisfied by the Aegis Living - Keller Farm development.

1. Mr. Keller, owner of historic Keller Dairy Farm and now pumpkin farm has agreed to sell his land to a developer, but the low density residential zoning and Critical Area characteristics impeded progress and land values.
2. The City classified much of Keller's land as protected, "critical areas" -- 1) recharge zone for maintaining our well water supply, 2) and hazardous flood zone, 3) riparian and fish & wildlife Protection Area; and wetland making re-zoning and development difficult.
3. Aegis Living retirement company sought a premium location to attract and service their retirement clientele and obtain a location close to their corporate headquarters.
4. The long-time landowners with grandfathered 25 foot buffers on Evans Creek want to increase the value of their land so that SE Redmond can be redeveloped. Evans Creek is a salmon bearing, straight channel with little or no riparian habitat or buffers.
5. Perrigo Creek is taking on higher concentrations of stormwater run-off from new developments (Perrigo Heights, 180 Ave, and SR 520) presenting negative impacts to priority Bear Creek habitat.
6. Environmentalists (Muckelshoot Indian Tribe, WaterTenders, community activists) want to protect priority open space, habitat, and species.
7. Redmond Historical Society and residents want to preserve our heritage and our view corridors.
8. Congested traffic needs to be mitigated on Avondale Road during redevelopment of the corridor.
9. 5000 senior citizens 65 years and older live within a 3 mile radius of Keller Farm and will need retirement accommodations and care.
10. Affordable housing is scarce for residents and workers in Redmond.
11. Wetland mitigation banks are needed in Redmond to facilitate growth.

How the above needs will be satisfied (in sequence):

1. The residential and agricultural zoning of Keller Farm will be amended to "Bear Creek District" allowing Mr. Keller to sell his 126 acre farm for a good return to Aegis Health Care (8.8 acres) and a "wetland bank" entrepreneur ((117 acres).
2. A "wetland bank" is created in partnership with the the city and Aegis. The bank allows the city to protect their valuable recharge wellhead protection zone, protected riparian habitat and species, priority flood zone & wetlands. Susan Wilkins stated our 1998 FEMA Flood Map was dated. Kim Richardson had concerns about pesticides.
3. Aegis Living, website here, will build a state-of-art retirement complex next to their corporate headquarters. Assisted living with focus on memory care will be provided. Alzheimer's is expected to grow by 10-fold by 2050. 1 in 5 citizens will be over 65 by 2030, according to Brain Poge of Aegis.
4. An easement is created in the wetland bank to allow for re-routing & meandering of Evans Creek away from SE Redmond businesses. Riparian habitat will be restored and creekside resident land value will increase stimulating redevelopment of SE Redmond.
5. Perrigo Creek currently runs underground 1000 feet in a pipe along Avondale. It will be "daylighted" to a swale (grassed ditch), the stream water -- oxygenated, filtered and re-routed away from Avondale wastewater before draining into Bear Creek - improving stormwater treatment and Bear Creek water quality.
6. The wetland bank will be used mostly for wetlands paved over by roads, high schools, and trails and will not replace on-site mitigation. Victor Woodlasnd, wetland banker partner, has a 10 year commitment to restore banked units. Within 20-years the wetland bank will be endowed in perpetuity to the Cascade Land Conservancy. The wetland bank will be restored with trees and shrubs native to wetlands. Man-made ditches will be removed. Trails should be pervious (Dick Schaetzel) and secondary to the flow of the creeks (Ed Schein). Bear Creek is a channel. Off channel rearing of fish is superior and more likely after restoration. (Bill Shields).
7. Aegis Living residents do most of their driving during off-peak hours so they are a good business for busy Avondale Road.
8. 10% of the units will be set aside for affordable housing for workers and possibly residents.

What appears to be "unfinished business" or issues of concern are, as follows:

• "Avondale Green Homeowners Association" is not opposed but they want a 2nd exit onto Avondale and a U-turn for safety.
• a small triangular neighborhood next to Aegis is unhappy with the Aegis Road going next to their neighborhood.
• Susan Wilkins duly noted concerns about our dated 1998 FEMA Flood map. Staffers agreed that mapping work needed to be done. Susan presented photos of the proposed Aegis tennis courts in the 1998 flood plain.
• Jill Richardson had duly noted concerns about pesticides.

The wetland bank is highly regulated, but the City of Redmond has final say via permitting and the debit side of banking. The Dept. of Ecology and Army Corps of Engineers are next in line. The EPA has some jurisdiction, as well. City Environmental planner, Cathy Beam, and Planner Jeff Churchill worked hard on this project and did a great job.

Project review and rezone are almost finalized. The Department of Ecology will consider a Public Hearing - by request only.

** The photograph above is of cow pasture along Bear Creek. It may be Keller Farm. This photo is on the front cover of Redmond Historical Society's new soft-cover titled "Redmond Reflections - from settlers to software", written by Naomi Hardy. To order write redmondhistory@hotmail.com.
Redmond City Technical Report of the Aegis project is HERE

FACTOIDS - a 225 acre wetland in Duval was the first wetland banking site in WA. Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) owns 5 wetland banks. Two banks are in Skagit county and one in Eastern Washington. >> wetland banks are booming across the country but are limited in Washington State by stronger regulations.

Planning commission's final recommendations to Council of 9/28/07: http://www.redmond.gov/insidecityhall/citycouncil/CurrentAgenda.asp

8/25, "Race for Mayor" Reporter article reviewed

Today's Redmond Reporter "Race for Mayor" article by Mary Decker provoked me to express some thoughts I have for the candidates and for Ms. Decker's reporting.

In general, I found Ms. Decker's reporting balanced and fair. She gave the front page color photos to the finalists - Marchione and Robinson; with the larger front page photo of "first-place winner" John Marchione hugging his child with a warm smile on election night. I felt this photo made up for the less expressive one taken by the Reporter prior to the Primary.

Some key points reported by Decker and paraphrased (in color) worth repeating and my comments, as follows:

JOHN MARCHIONE -

• most voters favored Marchione's message of "living within your means - households have to stick to a budget, so why not the city? I absolutely agree on that one. Just look at what's happening to the mortgage markets today from all those easy, 0-down loans!
  
• most voters approved of Marchione's proactive plan to keep more density in the Overlake and downtown areas. Yes, I agree! and said so at recent city council meeting. Hopefully, our chances to preserve some of the open space we enjoy in the neighborhoods will increase by focusing density downtown.
  
• Mr. Marchione is concerned about Robinson's idea of raising business taxes. John thinks that if businesses get driven out by higher taxes the residential property taxes may be raised to make up the difference. Holly Plackett also had no intentions to raise business taxes.
  
• Marchione continued to emphasize the need for a transparent budget with the community knowing where the money is going. hear! hear! Read my blog ON "THE SHELL GAME" (Tag "aaa") describing how the city shifts operating funds and capital funds back & forth at will, frequently for political purposes.
  
• Mr. Marchione emphasized being proactive in managing land use, growth, and housing choices. GOOD! Zoning Amendments need to be done with thought and scrutiny so as not to create further "Perrigo Heights" and "Tyler Creek" zoning oversights. The Development Guide needs to be updated to eliminate the scores of "Exceptions" to land-use approval and unrestrained PRD uses affecting neighboring communities. Holly brought some of these ideas out , as well.
  
• Marchione promotes a more active and lively downtown with dining, etc. Yes! I'd like to see some sidewalk cafe's and book stores and an cooperative art gallery and jazz restaurant.

JIM ROBINSON -

• Jim's central campaign platform is "do you want a hometown or simply an employment center? This tagline brings to attention the growing influx of workers who work in Redmond but don't live here. (I think we have a resident population of 50,000 with another 30,000 commuting to Redmond for work everyday.) So what's the answer to this plateform statement? Quite simple: by building more dwelling units and homes more commuters become residents and our "hometown" will grow. The fact is we have to grow to meet Growth Mangaement requirements. A fallacy is to believe our "hometown" won't change. It's already morphed from horse farms to suburbia & according to the Planning Commisssion (apointed by Ives) will evenually grow to an urban mass-transit center with 6-12 story buildings.
  
• Mr. Robinson attributes much of the traffic and congestion to commuters and a need to lessen it around Education Hill and around town. True! No doubt the commuters add to congestion. Unfortunately, even if you build homes to mitigate commuter traffic (and build our hometown) the traffic will still run through our neighborhoods and congestion will only get worse on Education Hill and around town.
  
• Robinson "sticks to his belief that public safety should have been funded as a priority all along while reserving Levy lifts for road infrastructure and other things". I agree with Jim, as do Marchione and Plackett. But, it seems it's been a standard of practice over the years to put safety out for levy vote. Mr. Robinson's been been a councilman for 16 years. Why haven''t we been able to improve our funding priorities for safety by now?
  
• Robinson associates citizen concern over our environment with the severe weather we've had in December and our lack of control over it. I think the Public Works Dept. has done an excellent job planting native shrubs and trees along river and stream areas--these shrubs help to reduce stormwater flows and preserve habitat and water quality. Jim is Council Chair of Parks. I'd like to see our Chair encourage the Parks Dept. and Police Dept. to pick up and remove their Proposition signs....to help our environment. To "take control" of our climate extremes citizens need to know where the young, old, and disabled can go to find a city shelter.
  
• Jim's supporters are pleased with the idea of updating Hartman Pool. Sure, it's a good idea. I love to swim. It's great excercise and soft on the joints.
  
• Robinson stresses "sustainability". The levy propositions are short term solutions when considering inflation is 5-6%. Jim proposes sit-down sessions and discussions to sort it all out and re-balance the revenues.

HOLLY PLACKETT -

• Saddened by the loss but vows to stay involved.
  
• Will keep working on behalf of the Family Resource Center
  
• and work for Grass Lawn neighborhood
  
• and work with Council to advocate for other HOA's
  
• concerns about Costco impacts to SE neighborhoods.
  
• and she's actively following the campaigns to ensure a robust democratic process during the election.

/> Hey! another neighbor just posted a comment. Press "Comments" below


HOLLY PLACKETT -

Saddened by the loss but vows to stay involved.
Will keep working on behalf of the Family Resource Center
and work for Grass Lawn neighborhood
and work with Council to advocate for other HOA's
concerns about Costco impacts to SE neighborhoods.
and she's actively following the campaigns to ensure a robust democratic process during the election.


BOB THEA:
I have to say, I’m glad it(voter turnout) increased, but it is still a paltry percentage of registered voters. Where is civic pride? Responsibility?Thanks for keeping us updated and informed Saturday August 25, 2007


RICHARD MORRIS:
Robinson's theme of "coming home" feels very nostalgic. There was a time, several years ago, when hot air balloons could safely land in open fields around town. No more hot air ballons.His question "do you want a hometown or an employment center?" has little to do with growth in Redmond. Redmond is currently a hometown *and* an employment center. Redmond is a thriving hometown with strong schools, churches, parks, and plenty of retail outlets. Redmond is, of course, an employment center with manufacturing, retail, and services. Redmond has seen tremendous growth in both homes and employment over the past 25 years. Growth management must accomodate both home (residential) and business needs. Each time Hwy 520 is extended, widened, and ramped more people will want to move into Redmond and work in Redmond. Is Jim Robinson proposing that a fence should be erected to keep out new residents or new businesses?

8/2/07 - Safety & Parks Tax Levy Propositions -Primary election

DID YOU KNOW?

Proposition #1 (Safety) & Proposition #2 (Parks)
Get ready! your absentee ballots should be in your mailbox by now! The PRIMARY is 8/21.
HOW WILL YOU VOTE?

PROPOSITION 1 - LEVY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING:

My wife and I know how we will vote ....with only one BIG BEEF.

Nine (9) firefighters are needed for the Overlake area mostly because of poor "response times". Did you know that "response times" have increased dramatically?

Nine (9) firefighters and an aid car are needed for NORTH REDMOND. Again, response times are up to 9 minutes!

Seventeen (17) police officers are needed for school security,traffic , cybercrime patrol, computer forensics, patrol and support. According to the mayor, only 4 officers patrol the city at night.

Officer Wilson informs me two (2) "School Resource Officers" (deployed for schools) will likely be returned in the 2008-2009 school year, with passage. One fulltime SRO for the High School and one SRO split between the two Junior Highs. The limiting factors for SRO's is staffing resources and deployment of staffing. But, SRO's are "guaranteed" for the immediate future if we pass the levy.

Chief Harris states that police today is much more than traffic and patrolling. Cyberspace crime is rapidly growing and needed technology is expensive. ID theft may now be replacing car vandalism & theft as Redmond's most common crime. Methamphetamine labs and related crimes are an ongoing problem.

PROPOSITION 1 safety services will cost the average homeowner & business about $145 per year. Our levy money will be dedicated to public safety and no public official can mess with it.

PROPOSITION 2 - LEVY FOR PARKS AND RECREATION FUNDING:

Parks Director Larsen suggested at the public meeting that Redmond Parks Department is no small business. The Department maintains and develops 40 parks -- totaling 1300 acres.
Parks also runs a Recreation program with over 200,000 citizens enrolled. Registration has been up 20% over last year. 16,000 citizens attended music events in the Teen Center last year.
Despite all our "showcase parks" the department has had to turn away 100 teams last year! Cricket, lacrosse,swimming, remote planes, Frisbee golf and other sports are competing for facilities used by established and expanding baseball, soccer, tennis, and high school swimming teams.

As witnessed from the loss of Perrigo Heights Woodlands to development, Open Natural Space doesn't come cheap and our children won't have the legacy of these Woods. The department needs to preserve what natural space we have left. They've acquired over 100 acres of natural open space parkland & 4 miles of trails recently.

Juel Park, Conrad Olson Park, Arthur Johnson Park and Slough Park are historic and natural. Funds are needed to develop & maintain these parks.

Director Larsen and our commissioners need funds to manage city lands, corridors, parks, creeks, rivers and other natural systems, including removal of invasive plants.
Levy money will go towards after-school programs, stewardship of our natural areas, a new staff member and greater availability to the Teen Center.

PROPOSITION 2 will cost the average homeowner and business $21.00/year.

YOUR VOTE COUNTS! PLEASE CAST YOUR BALLOTT BY AUGUST 21 ! THANK YOU!

Here's my BEEF and KUDOS to councilwoman Kim Allen for her leadership with Council!

I, and others, ask the next Council and next Mayor to please fund our critical SAFETY needs out of the General Operating Fund as the FIRST line item.

Annually 5% of our General Funds go to the Capital Fund (CIP). KIM'S TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: Only after funding necessary SAFETY services should we move ongoing revenue into the Capital Fund.

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FROM: BOB Chamberlin, Founder of the No. Redmond Neighborhood Email Group

You will recall that the last time they tried to raise our taxes they told us that if we didn’t give them more money there would not be enough funding to build and staff the additional fire/EMS facilities that we need (specifically for North Redmond). Most of us had to wonder three things about that.

1) How is it that they had sufficient funds to build themselves a huge and very expensive new city hall,

2) where did the money come from to give city officials (most notably the Mayor) a very substantial salary increase and

3) If the number of homes in North Redmond is increasing by a factor of four, and if those homes are paying far more taxes than the previously existing homes were paying why doesn’t the city have sufficient funds to provide the basic services for those homes that are normally expected?

Our response was that we resoundingly voted down their tax increase since most of us have the attitude that they need to better manage the over-abundance of money that has already been provided.This time the Mayor is suggesting that if we don’t vote to let them raise our taxes more than the current law allows there will not be enough funds to maintain the existing level of basic services. (Note that they have the legal right to raise our taxes every year anyway and they do not need our permission to do it. They just want a lot more than that.) In my opinion, this is what local governments do when they want more money. They cut funding for what the voters want rather than the funding for what the local officials want.There are ways that costs could be reduced rather substantially but the people who manage the money prefer not to even think about those methods. Here is an example. In my opinion, the City of Redmond Planning Dept. causes more problems than it cures. If you think about it, Planners tend to Plan whether that planning is actually needed or not and many of us feel that it is not. Each member of the Planning Dept. should be required to write a justification for his/her own job. After reviewing these justifications, cut about 80% of those jobs. Personally, I plan to vote, “NO” on Proposition 1.I wish I could say something like, “throw the bums out”, but Rosemary will not be running for Mayor so she is leaving anyway. As I recall, many years ago when Rosemary first ran for Mayor it was on a “No growth or very slow growth” platform and on that basis I voted for her. We have seen what that meant. I don’t like any of the current choices very much but some are better than others and in my opinion, the best of these is Marchione. Holly Plackett is for lots of growth. Her election web site calls for bringing in a lot more businesses and a satellite campus of the UW. This would, of course come with all of the attendant traffic and additional need for infrastructure (and of course, government). Also, I can’t say that I’m very fond of some of the organizations that are endorsing her. Robinson is supported by many of the folks who are currently a big part of what I feel to be the problem so I don’t feel at all good about him either.There are people on this mailing list who previously expressed an interest in running for Mayor but I have yet to see their campaign signs. - Bob Chamberlin, 7/31
Friday August 3, 2007 - 07:42pm (PDT)

COUNCILMEMBER KIM ALLEN:
Thanks, Bob!I want to take this opportunity to remind your readers that there are very stark differences between the mayoral candidates on public safety funding. When this budget was up for a vote, Jim Robinson wanted to pay for these fire and police needs out of our existing and ongoing revenues. As mayor, he will advance that policy. John Marchione wrote the budget that sent our fire and police needs out for a property tax levy increase, which was adopted on 12/19/06 by John Marchione, Richard Cole, Pat Vache, Nancy McCormick and John Resha. John Marchione made a policy choice to reserve those ongoing funds for capital projects like City Hall instead.Jim Robinson and I are supporting Proposition 1 because the public safety need is critical and because the majority of the Council decided that this was the only funding they would agree to. It was not our first choice.Vote on August 21!Kim Allen
Saturday August 4, 2007 - 02:22pm (PDT)

RICHRD MORRIS:

Hey Bob, I attended the community meeting at the City of Redmond on Tuesday, July 31st. The meeting was not well attended. I would guess the meeting notice did not arrive in mail boxes with much advance notice. I received my post-card invitatin on Monday, July 30th. Here are a few observations:1. There was not agreement among the City Council nor the Mayor for the budget. In my opinion, this struggle has spilled over into a repackaged levy proposition. Council chair Nancy McCormick described the budget process and the input from neighborhoods. However, the budget process did not result in consensus. This point was driven home by the Mayor and minority representative Councilwoman Kim Allen.2. The levy proposition has been re-tooled, but there was little enthusiasm from the staff presentations. The mayor continues to complain in public about the past year budget cuts for her administration staff. The allocation of funding the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) was a source of disagreement.3. The Chief of Police offered no guarantees for a committed School Resource Officer. This contradicts what Bob states (above): "Officer Wilson informs me two (2) "School Resource Officers" (deployed for schools) will likely be returned in the 2008-2009 school year, with passage. One fulltime SRO for the High School and one SRO split between the two Junior Highs. The limiting factors for SRO's is staffing resources and deployment of staffing. But, SRO's are "guaranteed" for now if we pass the levy". Apparently, the wording on the ballot measure for the School Resource Officer was debated at length among City Council, the Mayor, the Superintendant of Lake Washington Schools, and PTA representatives. PTA representatives asked for quarantee for a committed SRO,however the Chief made clear that he needed flexibility in assigning resources as needed for effective operations.4. The Chief of Police described a hiring and training pipeline for new police officers. The Chief said Redmond competes with 500 other cities for hiring officers. The hiring and training pipeline can be up to 12 months. Thus, there is no quick fix to hiring and training new police officers. Naturally, the Chief needs flexibility in deploying resources for optimal effectiveness. The Chief distributed a summary of resource needs and the nature of crime fighting. 5. There were very few questions for our Parks Commissioner. However, a few comments were made about the choices for funding parks vs. funding public safety. Overall, the voters attending the meeting expressed some disbelief for the levy.6. There were a few questions about the tax bill for businesses. Councilman Pat Vache assured voters that businesses pay property taxes just like home owners. Mayor Ives explained that businesses pay a form of Business and Occupation Tax, in the form of an employee head tax. She stated the head tax is low compared to Bellevue. She also stated the head tax will be increased, as approved by City Council. My impression was that City Council was very timid for taxing businesses. However, in my opinion this approach increases the burden on city infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, stormwater, etc) without sharing the cost of maintenance. Given that the day-time population of Redmond is much greater than the night-time population, it is painfully clear that many people drive to work in Redmond. This trend is evidenced by the many extensions of Hwy 520 into Redmond over the past 30 years.Overall, the mood and tone of the community meeting was depressing to me. City Council appeared very cautious in selling this levy proposal. Mayor Ives was determined to see it through, but very dismissive of the council's budget choices. Professional staff seemed confident, but remained low key in their pitch. Mostly I had the impression that the Mayor wanted to pass the levy. Voters expressed some disbelief in the need for the levy, pointing to the new City Hall and the growth in our city tax base.
Monday August 6, 2007 - 11:52am (PDT)

YODER:

I was happy to learn the Proposition 1, Priority 1 Saftey campaign sign is recyclable. And, the Parks Proposition 2 campagin sign is recyclable. Both are made of milk carton materials and cost about $1.00 per sign, not counting labor which I think was donated by citizens or the fire/police unions.
Monday August 6, 2007